Open Pennsylvania primaries, or end cross-filing

We’ve long argued Pennsylvania should open its primary elections to non-affiliated voters.

These are independent thinkers who choose not to associate with the big parties — but in too many cases, those parties’ primary elections are the only chance for these voters to have any say in these races.

Independents and those not affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic parties are among the fastest-growing voting blocs in many counties.

Yet Pennsylvania’s closed primary system — one of only 13 in the country — means they can’t participate until the general election in November, by which time many races are already decided.

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Because of cross-filing, many district judge and school board races are decided in the primaries. By the time people who weren’t registered Democrat or Republican get a chance to vote, there are no choices left.

The York Dispatch analyzed results of the last three municipal elections — 2007, 2009 and 2011 — and found that 42 percent of countywide seats, district judges, school boards, township supervisors, borough councils and mayoral seats were decided in the primary elections.

Eighteen percent of York County’s registered voters had no say in the outcome of those races.

It’s likely many of the highest profile races in the 2013 election will be decided in the primary, as well.

Knowing so many registered voters are being disenfranchised, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania has recommended open primaries, saying the elections are funded by taxpayers and should be open to everyone.

New Democratic state Sen. Rob Teplitz is the latest lawmaker to answer the call, recently introducing a bill to allow registered independent voters to choose whether to vote as Republicans or Democrats in the primary and have their affiliations changed for a single day — Election Day.

Unfortunately, the two major parties are perfectly happy with a system rigged in their favor, and most members of the Legislature have no desire to change. It’s their party and they can invite whomever they like.

But there does seem to be some wiggle room for a change.

Cross-filing has been allowed in Pennsylvania since the 1970s, permitted for district judges, judges and school boards.

The practice often results in the same candidate winning both tickets and advancing as the only candidate in the general election.

State Rep. Ron Miller, R-Jacobus, said those primary elections should be open to independent and third-party voters — or cross-filing shouldn’t be permitted.